First Choice?

[rougegorge]

What's the likely situation with Martinez and being away with Argentina this coming season?

The South American World Cup Qualifiers start
with 2 games in September (Bolivia away at altitude as the 2nd one), then 2 more in October (with Peru away as the 2nd) and another 2 in November (with Brazil away in the 2nd).

No more WC qualifiers then until Sept 2024, but there may be friendlies in the designated international week in March.

[coreyfeldman]

Guess for starting team v Newcastle

Martinez
Pau
Mings
Konsa
Cash
Kamara
Luiz
Mcginn
Buendia
Diaby
Watkins

Good chance that Cash, Tielemans, Philogene and Digne will also get minutes IMO

[Hookeysmith]

I like the fact that he tried to attack down the right rather than keep to the left that has been so good. Clearly it worked as well.

I can see the players now on the bench to change sides for attacking in game and think that is a great position to be in

[Percy McCarthy]

Guess for starting team v Newcastle

Martinez
Pau
Mings
Konsa
Cash
Kamara
Luiz
Mcginn
Buendia
Diaby
Watkins

That’s my guess too. With Ramsay to replace Buendia and Moreno to replace Cash (and the other three of the back four to shuffle across one place) when all fit.

[FatSam]

Whenever I read this thread title I think that someone is looking for advice on package holidays.

[edgysatsuma89]

Guess for starting team v Newcastle

Martinez
Pau
Mings
Konsa
Cash
Kamara
Luiz
Mcginn
Buendia
Diaby
Watkins

That’s my guess too. With Ramsay to replace Buendia and Moreno to replace Cash (and the other three of the back four to shuffle across one place) when all fit.

That's what I said would happen as well Percy in the pre season thread. It will depend on which side he wants to attack down.

[London Villan]

Teilemans will now probably start. Who for though?

[pelty]

Teilemans will now probably start. Who for though?

Buendia. Not a like-for-like, so may have to shift McGinn? Good problem to have!

[Ian.]

For the first time in years I have no idea what our best 11 is.

[ChicagoLion]

Teilemans will now probably start. Who for though?

Buendia. Not a like-for-like, so may have to shift McGinn? Good problem to have!

I thought that before tonight, Newcastle away is about getting to grip in midfield so I think he starts with Kamara Mcginn Luiz Tielmens.

[VillaTim]

Teilemans will now probably start. Who for though?

Luiz and Kamara fighting for a place now to partner Tielemans

[Villan82]

We need to move away from the idea of a first eleven. The new 5 subs rule means it is really a first 16. And with Unai as manager there are different roles for different systems.

In defence, Konsa, Mings, Pau will all get games. Occasionally the three will start together, with either Konsa or Pau deployed in Unai's flexible tucked in full back role whereas Cash, Digne and Moreno will get games in the more attacking full back role.

In midfield it is an embarrassment of riches. So many options. With European football to worry about we will be able to rotate plenty and keep all the options nice and fresh.

Up top we can really mix and match. Diaby can play anywhere across the front three. We can play Buendia and Coutinho up there floating about behind a main striker or we can stick somebody like Diaby and/or Bailey out wide. We can play as a three up top or in the same formation as last year, a sort of 4-2-2-2.

We have the players. We have the squad. We have the manager. We have the owners. What a difference five years makes.

[Clark W Griswold]

I think vs Newcastle…
Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Mings
Torres
Luiz
Kamara
McGinn
Tielemans
Diaby
Watkins

I like the idea of this 3 centre backs with 1 full back bombing on, very easy to change shape and become a lot more defensive or attacking immediately.

[WarszaVillan]

Teilemans will now probably start. Who for though?

Luiz and Kamara fighting for a place now to partner Tielemans

After yesterday I think so. I can't see Luiz not starting, so I think it will be Kamara fighting for his place. That's some midfield we have.

[Drummond]

I can see all sorts of combinations and my bet would be on Kamara, Luiz and McGinn starting against Newcastle with Tielemans coming on later.